Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao volunteers join for 15th National Games

Volunteers from Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macao are joining forces to support the upcoming 15th National Games, an initiative that organizers say will deepen regional cooperation and youth exchange across the Greater Bay Area.

"The practice helps explore a collaborative development path for volunteer services in Guangdong," said Wang Hao, deputy director of major events and volunteer service department of the Games' Guangdong division organizing committee, during a press conference on Friday.

The Games, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong and the two special administrative regions, will open on Nov 9 in Guangzhou.

After a rigorous selection process, Guangdong has recruited 30,000 volunteers from 17 host cities and 99 universities, including 389 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities.

"Each volunteer must undergo systematic training and assessment to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the event requirements before they can begin their service," said Wang.

To encourage public participation, volunteers from transportation hubs, shopping districts, tourist sites, and cultural squares will assist visitors throughout the Games. Sectors such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and courier services are also being encouraged to offer convenient and friendly support, Wang said.

In addition, 24 professional emergency teams from across the province have conducted drills to ensure safety and smooth operations during the event.

Volunteer enthusiasm is strong beyond Guangdong. In Hong Kong, more than 30,000 people have applied, marking the largest volunteer activity in the city's history. Since its launch in February 2023, the Macao division's program has drawn broad support from the public and social organizations, with 3,500 volunteers already serving in hotels and event venues.

To strengthen coordination, the three divisions have established a regular communication mechanism, shared training materials, and exchanged instructors. "We have launched a unified cultural identity for the volunteer service theme, shared training course materials, and exchanged training instructors for mutual learning and practice, consolidating efforts to collaboratively deliver outstanding volunteer services for the Games," said Wang.